Sanju Samson set to be dropped for T20 World Cup semi-finals? 3 reasons it would be a colossal mistake

Team India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson proved his worth under immense pressure during the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, March 1. Samson scored an unbeaten 97 off just 50 balls and guided the Men in Blue to secure their spot in the semis.

While India are unlikely to bench him after such a performance, any move to drop him for the knockouts would be a massive error. The Suryakumar Yadav-led team is set to face England in the semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5. They will be hoping to secure victory in the semi-finals.

Sanju Samson Is a Master of the High-Stakes Chase

Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan perished early while chasing a target of 196. India were in deep trouble, but Sanju Samson took full responsibility. The right-handed batter delivered a masterclass as India chased down the target in 19.2 overs with five wickets to spare.

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Notably, it was India’s highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history. The 31-year-old showed perfect tactical awareness by attacking during the powerplay and then using risk-free scoring shots to control the middle overs.

The Kerala-born cricketer’s ability to stay calm in a last-over thriller is exactly what India need in a semi-final against a powerhouse like England.

Sanju Samson’s Elite Strike Rate and Boundary-Hitting Ability

Sanju Samson’s scoring rate against the West Indies was phenomenal, as he finished with a strike rate of 195. He smashed 12 fours and four massive sixes during his knock. The opening batter can find the boundary at will without playing reckless cricket.

In T20 knockouts, the ability to maintain a high strike rate without losing composure is rare. Samson’s current form suggests he is seeing the ball better than anyone else in the top order.

Dropping a batter who just missed a century and scored at nearly two runs per ball would disrupt the entire momentum of the batting unit. He also provides a right-left combination with Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order.

Sanju Samson Has Successfully Overcome His Recent Slump And Brings Experience

Before this ICC event, Sanju Samson struggled during the home series against New Zealand. The batter scored only 46 runs across five innings, and this poor run cost him his place in the starting XI. However, his performance in the must-win game proved his worth.

Samson delivered under pressure in the virtual knockout match and showed he has the mental toughness for the big stage. With the semi-final taking place at the Wankhede Stadium, a venue known as a batter’s paradise, Samson’s ability to hit through the line makes him an automatic pick for the defending champions.

It is worth mentioning that India have faced England in the semi-finals in the last two editions of the T20 World Cup. England secured victory in the 2022 edition, while the Men in Blue bounced back in 2024.

Also read: MS Dhoni mega update released by CSK ahead of IPL 2026